How much protein do your kids eat?

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently my

lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry.  Even after a

meal he is still hungry.  It's been going on for a couple months now.  He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week).  He doesn't eat soy.  Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc. 

 

Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry??  Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal?  If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each

meal?  Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at

this age??

 

Thank you so much everyone!! 

Denise

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

My daughter will be 4 next month, and she is the same way! Lol. I am glad it

isn't just her )

She eats lots of hummus and snacks on whole grains and nuts. She LOVES tofu and

eggs, but I try not to go overboard (tofu 2-3 servings a week and eggs the

same). Oh, and SunNut Butter 4-5 times a week.

Try some higher protein grains like quinoa and amaranth.

I just keep offering the good stuff during the bouts of non-stop hunger.

Best of luck,

 

 

Cassie

" life's a garden, dig it! "

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

On Apr 26, 2010, at 7:21 PM, Denise Turner <deniseamay wrote:

 

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently my

lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry. Even after a

meal he is still hungry. It's been going on for a couple months now. He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week). He doesn't eat soy. Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc.

 

Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry?? Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal? If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each meal?

Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at this age??

 

Thank you so much everyone!!

Denise

 

 

[Guest guest]

From about the age of 4 on, my son has eaten more than me at all times. He is on

the average/small side but very active.

 

 

 

Is it that your son needs to eat often but doesn't always eat lots? Or could it

be a growth spurt? Or is he just bored and asking for food. Or maybe he just has

a healthy appetite.

 

 

 

I can't tell you exactly how much protein my son gets but, from time to time I

have tracked it and it was always fine but never more than the veg friendly

resources suggested. Try hummus, tacos with beans, bean dips for crackers,etc.

Or a smoothie with protein food in it if you are really worried. My son's fave

is apple with pb (or almond butter which he does not love). This is very

filling.

 

 

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

 

deniseamay

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:21:04 -0700

How much protein do your kids eat?

 

 

 

 

 

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently my

lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry. Even after a

meal he is still hungry. It's been going on for a couple months now. He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week). He doesn't eat soy. Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc.

 

Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry?? Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal? If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each meal?

Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at this age??

 

Thank you so much everyone!!

Denise

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Denise,

Our son is always hungry – eats constantly. Seriously, we have to have

snacks for him every 2 hours – sometimes I just leave a buffet of nuts,

fruit and crackers out on the table for most of the day, just so he

always has access to food. I always carry snacks with us – rice cakes,

crackers, nuts, dried fruit, etc. are always in my bag. He is lacto-ovo

veg, too, but I think that is totally irrelevant to this – we have

friends whose diets are mainly animal protein, and their kids are the

same exact way. I think it’s more about really fast metabolisms and

small stomachs, and constant motion/activity and growing and developing

at this age. Our son will ask for food before and after every meal, and

again at bedtime! Think of kids as marathon runners – they need food,

vitamins and water way more often than we do. :-)

 

We don’t have protein at every meal, but maybe 1 or 2 times a day. We

used the book “The New Vegetarian Baby” by Sharon Yntema and Christine

Beard when we had questions about how much of what to feed a kid. For

protein servings for toddlers/young kids, they say that a lacto-ovo veg

kid have 1-1/2 servings of legumes or egg per day (1 serving is ¼ cup

cooked legumes, 1 oz tofu, 1 egg); and ½ to 1 serving of nuts or seeds

(1 serving is 1/3 cup nut or seed milk or 4 teaspoons nut or seed

butter); and 1 serving of dairy plus 20 oz of breastmilk, formula or

whole cows’ milk (1 serving is 1 oz hard cheese or ¼ cup cottage

cheese). That’s a pretty common serving size per day for us, maybe a

bit more since our son is 5-1/2 now – unless we’re having tofu, then he

will eat his body weight if we let him :-) -- and we don’t use nearly

that much dairy … he might drink 4 oz of milk in a day and have ½ oz of

hard cheese. (Though, when he nursed, I’m sure he got at least that

amount of breastmilk.) In reality, americans eat way too much protein

(don’t know if you’re in the u.s. or not), and remember, too, that your

son is getting protein from grains, with his carbs, so he’s probably not

too low on protein in any case. And of course, I’m not a nutritionist

or health practitioner of any kind, just used that book and some other

sources (but used a xerox of that serving size page on our fridge to

learn serving sizes).

 

And another thing we learned is the concept of not worrying about what a

kid eats in one day, but rather what he eats over the course of a week

or even a month. That feels much more manageable. :-)

Good luck!

Lorraine

 

 

On

Behalf Of Denise Turner

Monday, April 26, 2010 4:21 PM

 

How much protein do your kids eat?

 

 

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but

recently my lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly

hungry. Even after a meal he is still hungry. It's been going on for a

couple months now. He doesn't eat many high protein foods except small

amount of beans, nuts butters, yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts

(he doesn't eat all of these foods on a daily basis though it's random

throughout the week). He doesn't eat soy. Most of his foods are carbs

like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers, fruits, some veg,

etc.

 

Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the

reason he's always so hungry?? Do your children eat a high protein food

with each meal? If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they

have with each meal? Also, do you know how many grams of protein they

should be getting at this age??

 

Thank you so much everyone!!

Denise

 

 

[Guest guest]

Those whole grain have lots of protein, too. He may just be going through a

growth spurt.

 

This is from PCRM, and has great guidelines for feeding kids.

http://support.pcrm.org/site/DocServer/Nutrition_for_Kids.pdf?docID=801

 

 

________________________________

Denise Turner <deniseamay

 

Mon, April 26, 2010 6:21:04 PM

How much protein do your kids eat?

 

 

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently my

lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry.  Even after a

meal he is still hungry.  It's been going on for a couple months now.  He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week).  He doesn't eat soy. 

Most of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc. 

 

Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry??  Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal?  If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each

meal?  Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at

this age??

 

Thank you so much everyone!! 

Denise

 

 

[Guest guest]

Denise,

 

I'd say he's probably going through a growth spurt. Both of my kids will

go through periods when they seem like they can't get enough food and

then there are times they eat like birds. But as far as I've ever heard

and researched, it's perfectly normal. When my kids go through these

periods I let them eat as much as they want, but I always make sure it's

healthy food. They fill up on lots of fruits and veggies, or I give them

mixed nuts, or soy yogurt with fruit, etc.

 

My bet is that he'll do this for a short period and then it will stop

and then he may do it from time to time. That's what happens with my

kids.

 

Jacqueline

[Guest guest]

You would be surprised how little protein children actually need. My eyes were

really opened to this after studying Dr. Campbell's " The China Study. " My

small children, who have been on a plant-based diet since birth, constantly want

to eat because they love to eat!!! They would NEVER turn down food. They love

complex carbs, but don't have weight issues and have so much energy 24-7!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I wouldn't worry as much about a number on a chart--you're a mom, not a chemist!

If I were you, I would just look at my son and try to figure out WHY he's

hungry. Is it really a lack of protein? Maybe it's really not enough healthy

fats or carbs. Would a little coconut oil/coconut butter, avocado, or whole

grain breads be filling and satisfying for him? Have you tried getting a divided

serving plate and putting small amounts of filling foods in each compartment? My

kids love it when I do that! You could try different kinds of olives, chunks of

avocado, raw fruits or veggies with nut butter, hummus, or guacamole dip,

crackers and nut butter or cream cheese (dairy or soy), or trail mix made with

his favorite nuts, seeds, dry cereals, and dried fruits. Kids do go through

growth spurts, so see what the next few weeks brings. Marilyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madeline White <madeline_killian

vegparents vrg

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 10:55 pm

RE: How much protein do your kids eat?

 

 

 

 

 

From about the age of 4 on, my son has eaten more than me at all times. He is on

the average/small side but very active.

 

Is it that your son needs to eat often but doesn't always eat lots? Or could it

be a growth spurt? Or is he just bored and asking for food. Or maybe he just has

a healthy appetite.

 

I can't tell you exactly how much protein my son gets but, from time to time I

have tracked it and it was always fine but never more than the veg friendly

resources suggested. Try hummus, tacos with beans, bean dips for crackers,etc.

Or a smoothie with protein food in it if you are really worried. My son's fave

is apple with pb (or almond butter which he does not love). This is very

filling.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

deniseamay

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:21:04 -0700

How much protein do your kids eat?

 

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently my

lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry. Even after a

meal he is still hungry. It's been going on for a couple months now. He doesn't

eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters, yogurt,

occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a daily

basis though it's random throughout the week). He doesn't eat soy. Most of his

foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers, fruits,

some veg, etc.

 

Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry?? Do your children eat a high protein food with each meal?

If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each meal? Also,

do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at this age??

 

Thank you so much everyone!!

Denise

 

 

[Guest guest]

Here's another healthy, high protein snack kids love:

http://www.vegblogger.com/blog/2010/04/roasted-chickpeas-a-healthy-and-tasty-sna\

ck.html

 

Jacqueline

[Guest guest]

That's so true! Everyone worries about getting enough protein, when really the

problems usually stem from getting too MUCH! Just filling up on lots of raw

leafy greens, through a salad or green smoothie will PACK your child with live

enzymes and nutrients, while filling them up. And no one ever became obese by

eating too many greens! Marilyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

admartin5

 

Tue, Apr 27, 2010 8:19 am

Re:How much protein do your kids eat?

 

 

 

 

You would be surprised how little protein children actually need. My eyes were

really opened to this after studying Dr. Campbell's " The China Study. " My small

children, who have been on a plant-based diet since birth, constantly want to

eat because they love to eat!!! They would NEVER turn down food. They love

complex carbs, but don't have weight issues and have so much energy 24-7!

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much everyone!!!  You guys always have the best advice.  I feel

better hearing that your children are the same way and have taken in all your

thoughts/aadvice.  I thought it was probably just a growth spurt but since it's

lasted about 2 months now I thought maybe his body was missing something and

that's why he was always hungry.  Someone mentioned " fats " and that may be

something he could be low on.  So I will add a little more fats and see if that

keeps in fuller longer.  But I agree that he just really enjoys eating!  He's

a skinny little thing too so I'm comfortable with him eating often. 

 

I don't have any friends that have veg kids so it's nice to chat with all of

you! 

 

Thanks again for taking the time to respond 

Denise

 

PS  I have " New Vegetarian Baby " book so maybe it's time I re-read it! 

 

 

 

 

--- On Tue, 4/27/10, youhavehowmany <youhavehowmany wrote:

 

youhavehowmany <youhavehowmany

Re: Re:How much protein do your kids eat?

 

Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 9:09 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's so true! Everyone worries about getting enough protein, when really

the problems usually stem from getting too MUCH! Just filling up on lots of raw

leafy greens, through a salad or green smoothie will PACK your child with live

enzymes and nutrients, while filling them up. And no one ever became obese by

eating too many greens! Marilyn

 

 

 

 

 

admartin5@embarqmai l.com

 

@gro ups.com

 

Tue, Apr 27, 2010 8:19 am

 

Re:How much protein do your kids eat?

 

 

 

You would be surprised how little protein children actually need. My eyes were

really opened to this after studying Dr. Campbell's " The China Study. " My small

children, who have been on a plant-based diet since birth, constantly want to

eat because they love to eat!!! They would NEVER turn down food. They love

complex carbs, but don't have weight issues and have so much energy 24-7!

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Denise

I am not expert but this could be lack of protein or high metabolism rate or

just growth factor.

In any case if you are looking for a high protein addition to your food try

Quinoa.

you can have it in the place of rice or you can try Qunioa bread

 

Its high in protein.

 

my kids don't like it when i replace rice with Qunioa but they love it when i

add it in bread of pancakes equivalent Indian dish (idli or dosa)

 

hope this helps

Shree

--- On Tue, 4/27/10,

wrote:

 

Digest Number 2987

 

Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 1:51 AM

 

There is 1 message in this issue.

 

Topics in this digest:

 

1. How much protein do your kids eat?   

    Denise Turner

 

 

Message

______________________

1. How much protein do your kids eat?

    Posted by: " Denise Turner " deniseamay deniseamay

    Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:35 pm ((PDT))

 

Hi everyone!!

 

I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently my

lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry.  Even after a

meal he is still hungry.  It's been going on for a couple months now.  He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week).  He doesn't eat soy.  Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc. 

 

Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry??  Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal?  If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each

meal?  Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at

this age??

 

Thank you so much everyone!! 

Denise

 

 

 

     

 

 

[Guest guest]

The current issue of vegetarian times addresses the protein issue (as well as

other other vitamin/mineral issues). I don't have it in front of me right now

but basically it says that there is plenty of protein in vegetables and whole

grains. I do know that most North Americans get more protein than they need.

 

I don't know why your son is always hungry. Could it be a growth spurt? Although

I don't know that a growth spurt lasts a couple of months. Could he be mistaking

thirst for hunger? I know that is a common problem with adults (myself

included).

 

Raising Vegetarian Children outlines the amount of protein etc needed by age

group. When I have a chance I'll sent a message with that information.

 

Paula

 

, Denise Turner <deniseamay wrote:

>

> Hi everyone!!

>

> I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently

my lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry.  Even after a

meal he is still hungry.  It's been going on for a couple months now.  He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week).  He doesn't eat soy.  Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc. 

>

> Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry??  Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal?  If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each

meal?  Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at

this age??

>

> Thank you so much everyone!! 

> Denise

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kids need a lot more protein than adults. For us, getting enough protein really

just means eating a balanced diet. For kids, they need more because they're

growing so fast. Not enough protein could be part of the reason your son is

hungry but it could also just be because he's a growning boy. My 2-year-old

daugther is always hungry and she eats plenty of protein. I think it's just how

some kids are.

 

I always defer to the Vegetarian Resource Group's webpage for solid information

about how much of each nutrient kids need at each age. It says that a child

your son's age needs at least 5 servings of protein a day.

 

, Denise Turner <deniseamay wrote:

>

> Hi everyone!!

>

> I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently

my lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry.  Even after a

meal he is still hungry.  It's been going on for a couple months now.  He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week).  He doesn't eat soy.  Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc. 

>

> Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry??  Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal?  If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each

meal?  Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at

this age??

>

> Thank you so much everyone!! 

> Denise

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Denise,

 

My daughter is 7 and still goes through the same thing from time to time, it

started when she was 3. I always thought it was just a growth spurt and

increased her fats and carbs. We're vegan and have no trouble getting enough

protein. Most Americans don't have trouble with protein deficiency, like a few

others have already said. Osteoporosis is such a problem in the US because it's

actually caused by a protein excess and not a calcium deficiency. Good luck!

 

Warm regards,

 

Diane Brown, CMT

Solace Therapeutic Massage

Office: (517) 324-3400

Cell: (517) 285-8873

5093 E. Brookfield Dr.

East Lansing, MI 48823

www.solacetherapeuticmassage.com

dianeb

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Denise Turner <deniseamay

 

Tue, April 27, 2010 9:35:15 AM

Re: Re:How much protein do your kids eat?

 

 

Thank you so much everyone!!! You guys always have the best advice. I feel

better hearing that your children are the same way and have taken in all your

thoughts/aadvice. I thought it was probably just a growth spurt but since it's

lasted about 2 months now I thought maybe his body was missing something and

that's why he was always hungry. Someone mentioned " fats " and that may be

something he could be low on. So I will add a little more fats and see if that

keeps in fuller longer. But I agree that he just really enjoys eating! He's a

skinny little thing too so I'm comfortable with him eating often.

 

I don't have any friends that have veg kids so it's nice to chat with all of

you!

 

Thanks again for taking the time to respond

Denise

 

PS I have " New Vegetarian Baby " book so maybe it's time I re-read it!

 

--- On Tue, 4/27/10, youhavehowmany@ aol.com <youhavehowmany@ aol.com> wrote:

 

youhavehowmany@ aol.com <youhavehowmany@ aol.com>

Re: Re:How much protein do your kids eat?

@gro ups.com

Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 9:09 AM

 

 

 

That's so true! Everyone worries about getting enough protein, when really the

problems usually stem from getting too MUCH! Just filling up on lots of raw

leafy greens, through a salad or green smoothie will PACK your child with live

enzymes and nutrients, while filling them up. And no one ever became obese by

eating too many greens! Marilyn

 

 

 

admartin5@embarqmai l.com

 

@gro ups.com

 

Tue, Apr 27, 2010 8:19 am

 

Re:How much protein do your kids eat?

 

You would be surprised how little protein children actually need. My eyes were

really opened to this after studying Dr. Campbell's " The China Study. " My small

children, who have been on a plant-based diet since birth, constantly want to

eat because they love to eat!!! They would NEVER turn down food. They love

complex carbs, but don't have weight issues and have so much energy 24-7!

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Denise,

 

You have some good questions. My six-year-old son also goes through periods

where he seems famished, alternating with periods in which he (in my opinion)

barely eats. I figure when he's in some kind of growth spurt, he's hungrier than

when he isn't. Lately, he tells me he's hungry right before bedtime, but I'm not

sure if it's not some sort of tactic to delay going to bed. Still, I give him a

few grapes and sometimes a piece of toast with a little Earth Balance on it. He

did eat peanut butter for while but now is not so thrilled with it.

 

All foods have protein. It's a myth that plant foods don't contain any protein.

I've read extensively about this subject; being a vegan I often get questions of

this ilk: " But how does he get his protein? "

 

I have a great book at home that gives all the requirements for kids at various

ages. It's called " Raising Vegetarian Children, " by Joanne Stepanik and Vesanto

Melina. There are other great books out there as well that discuss this subject.

 

I also found a link to the Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom. They have a

chart of RDAs (They call them RNIs) and what amount of protein is in common

foods.

The link is http://www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.html

 

This web site was also helpful:

http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/vegetarian-advice/feeding-lactose-intolerant-chil\

d.php

 

My son loves garbanzo beans and will eat other beans (pintos and lentils mostly)

if he's really hungry. He likes the soups I make and gets most of his beans and

vegetables that way. He loves brown rice, whole grain pasta, rice pasta, and

recently tried quinoa and liked it. I just read that quinoa has more protein

than other grain-like foods and has a good balance of amino acids.

 

Sometimes, when I'm really worried about my son -- either that he's not getting

enough food or enough of the right sort of food -- I compare what he eats with

what I ate as a child (barely any veggies, lots of fruit, white bread, pasta,

and rice, Hamburger Helper - yuck) and figure that although there is room for

improvement, he's eating a lot better than I did and probably better than most

kids nowadays do, too.

 

Hope this wasn't too long.

 

Andrea

 

 

, Denise Turner <deniseamay wrote:

>

> Hi everyone!!

>

> I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently

my lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry. Even after a

meal he is still hungry. It's been going on for a couple months now. He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week). He doesn't eat soy. Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc.

>

> Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry?? Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal? If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each meal?

Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at this age??

>

> Thank you so much everyone!!

> Denise

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Based on my own children, this sounds like pretty typical behavior for a 4 year

old. That said, if you are concerned about it, a visit to the pediatrician for

a weight check and plotting his growth rate could be reassuring. Children's

protein needs are low compared to adults' needs in terms of absolute numbers.

The recommended amount of protein for a 4-year old is 0.43 grams of protein for

every pound the child weighs. So, if a 4-year old boy weighs 36 pounds, he

needs about 36 x 0.43 = 15.5 grams of protein. Compare that to the protein

needs of 35 year old man who weighs 154 pounds and needs about 56 grams of

protein (based on 0.36 grams of protein per pound).

The Vegetarian Resource Group has a table of protein amounts in many common

vegan foods at http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm#table2. Note that many

serving sizes are larger than your little guy is likely to be eating.

 

Reed

 

Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Nutrition Advisor, VRG

, Denise Turner <deniseamay wrote:

>

> Hi everyone!!

>

> I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently

my lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry.  Even after a

meal he is still hungry.  It's been going on for a couple months now.  He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week).  He doesn't eat soy.  Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc. 

>

> Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry??  Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal?  If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each

meal?  Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at

this age??

>

> Thank you so much everyone!! 

> Denise

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

So true about our kids eating better than we did or compared to their friends,

Andrea.  I feel better about my son's diet than what I see my friend's children

eat!  Thanks for your thoughts.  I feel much better after reading all of your

advice. 

 

I guess the important thing I should see is that my son is probably the most

incredibly energetic kids I know.  That should be proof enough to me that his

body is getting what it needs.

 

Thanks again to everyone who has written to me!!!

Denise

 

--- On Tue, 4/27/10, library.momma <library.momma wrote:

 

library.momma <library.momma

Re: How much protein do your kids eat?

 

Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 7:41 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Denise,

 

 

 

You have some good questions. My six-year-old son also goes through periods

where he seems famished, alternating with periods in which he (in my opinion)

barely eats. I figure when he's in some kind of growth spurt, he's hungrier than

when he isn't. Lately, he tells me he's hungry right before bedtime, but I'm not

sure if it's not some sort of tactic to delay going to bed. Still, I give him a

few grapes and sometimes a piece of toast with a little Earth Balance on it. He

did eat peanut butter for while but now is not so thrilled with it.

 

 

 

All foods have protein. It's a myth that plant foods don't contain any protein.

I've read extensively about this subject; being a vegan I often get questions of

this ilk: " But how does he get his protein? "

 

 

 

I have a great book at home that gives all the requirements for kids at various

ages. It's called " Raising Vegetarian Children, " by Joanne Stepanik and Vesanto

Melina. There are other great books out there as well that discuss this subject.

 

 

 

I also found a link to the Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom. They have a

chart of RDAs (They call them RNIs) and what amount of protein is in common

foods.

 

The link is http://www.vegsoc. org/info/ protein.html

 

 

 

This web site was also helpful:

 

http://www.savvyveg etarian.com/ vegetarian- advice/feeding- lactose-intolera

nt-child. php

 

 

 

My son loves garbanzo beans and will eat other beans (pintos and lentils mostly)

if he's really hungry. He likes the soups I make and gets most of his beans and

vegetables that way. He loves brown rice, whole grain pasta, rice pasta, and

recently tried quinoa and liked it. I just read that quinoa has more protein

than other grain-like foods and has a good balance of amino acids.

 

 

 

Sometimes, when I'm really worried about my son -- either that he's not getting

enough food or enough of the right sort of food -- I compare what he eats with

what I ate as a child (barely any veggies, lots of fruit, white bread, pasta,

and rice, Hamburger Helper - yuck) and figure that although there is room for

improvement, he's eating a lot better than I did and probably better than most

kids nowadays do, too.

 

 

 

Hope this wasn't too long.

 

 

 

Andrea

 

 

 

@gro ups.com, Denise Turner <deniseamay@ ...> wrote:

 

>

 

> Hi everyone!!

 

>

 

> I'm a long time vegetarian and don't usually worry about protein but recently

my lacto-ovo vegetarian 4 year old son has been constantly hungry. Even after a

meal he is still hungry. It's been going on for a couple months now. He

doesn't eat many high protein foods except small amount of beans, nuts butters,

yogurt, occasional eggs, cheese and nuts (he doesn't eat all of these foods on a

daily basis though it's random throughout the week). He doesn't eat soy. Most

of his foods are carbs like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bread, crackers,

fruits, some veg, etc.

 

>

 

> Anyways, I have been wondering if the lack of high protein foods is the reason

he's always so hungry?? Do your children eat a high protein food with each

meal? If so, do you mind letting me know what protein they have with each meal?

Also, do you know how many grams of protein they should be getting at this age??

 

>

 

> Thank you so much everyone!!

 

> Denise

 

>

 

>

 

>

 

>

 

>

 

>